Vibrant colors light up historic Stone Bridge

October 19, 2011|Kecia Bal | Our Town Correspondent

The Stone Bridge is awash in lights during a ceremony.

Johnstown's historic Stone Bridge has come into the light.

The colors of the LED lights can change, depending on time of year, holidays and special events. They've already been blue and white for Rosh Hashanah, pink for breast cancer awareness and a fall scheme. Soon, they could be black and gold for Pittsburgh Steelers home games.

The lights are being programmed for a 15-minute light-show at 7:30 p.m. before settling into the evening's colored scheme.

“It really just blows you away,” said Mike Brosig, co-chairman of the Stone Bridge committee and master-of-ceremonies for the event. “The lights bring out the reveals on the bridge and the reflection on the water is beautiful.”

The Johnstown Area Heritage Association administered the initiative, which began in 2008.

More than 300 people attended the lighting ceremony at Point Park on Sept. 24, the culmination of years of fundraising for the $1.2 million project to restore and improve the bridge.

For years, community members had hoped to bring more attention to the bridge that held strong on May 31, 1889, when the Great Johnstown Flood decimated the community and claimed more than 2,000 lives.

Today, 50 trains cross the Stone Bridge daily, and more than 15,000 vehicles pass beneath its arches on routes 403 and 56. The Stone Bridge crosses the Conemaugh River at the edge of Johnstown's downtown and stands near numerous other city destinations - including the Johnstown Flood Museum, Point Stadium, Peoples Natural Gas Park and historic Cambria City. The project was dedicated in memory of U.S. Rep. John Murtha.

Brosig said he was elated at the turnout and how detailed plans came together harmoniously, such as reaching their radio broadcast air time at the right moment, even with 12 distinguished speakers lined up.

“We hoped that the bridge would exceed expectations, that it would be as wonderful as we hoped it would be,” he added. “And it was.”

Funding for the project included PennDOT Enhancement Funds, corporate donations, and individual contributions, as well as an in-kind commitment from Norfolk Southern, which owns the railroad bridge. Major donors include JWF Industries, the Penelec Sustainable Energy Fund at the Community Foundation for the Alleghenies, and Laurel Holdings Inc. More than 400 individuals donated to the project.

Anthony Gergley started the push to repair and embellish the bridge as part of an ambitious project to light 11 of Johnstown's many bridges.

“When I came back to Johnstown, it just seemed like there was a cloud of depression over everything,” said Gergley, who grew up in Johnstown and returned in 2002. “I thought, 'What can I do to lift this umbrella?'”

He said many Johnstowners had suggested bringing the bridge back to life, but this was the first concerted effort to turn the talk into reality.

For years, he sent scores of letters weekly to bring in donations from around the world, and 30 different states. Eventually, he handed the project over to a committee, which included Brosig at the helm.

“When I saw them light up the bridge, a lady beside me said her great-grandparents died at that bridge. It was meaningful to those people,” Gergley said.

Next up, committee members are working to create moving light shows on a regular basis. As is, the static lights are drawing attention, Brosig said. Visitors can see the bridge lit from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. nightly.

“People are already taking time out to see it,” he said. “It has that kind of magnificence.”